9 Apr 2016

After a sterling midweek performance against Borussia Dortmund, it's back to Premier League against Stoke City on Sunday, and with Liverpool now 12 points off fourth place, a win is essential to maintain the Reds' slim chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

Pre-match news:

* Emre Can is suspended after picking up a 10th yellow card of the season last weekend.

* Jordan Henderson is out for the season with a knee injury.

* Klopp on Sturridge: "It's very good for us and now that he is rested. We will see. Of course, he's involved in all my thoughts [for tomorrow]".

* Klopp on Lucas/Stewart: "These two players are back and that’s very important for us. We have to make a decision about line-up, about system and a lot of things, but in the end we will have players in this position for sure [against Stoke].”

With Hendo and Can both out, it seems likely that Allen will start against Stoke, with Lucas also coming back into the starting line-up. My preferred lineup:

* In my view, Moreno should be dropped for his horror tackle on Christian Pulisic. Tackles like that should have consequences, and since the ref did nothing about it, Klopp should make it clear that it's no acceptable.

* Origi scored against Dortmund, so it seems unfair to then drop him for the next game. If a player does his job, then surely he should stay in the team on merit.

* Sturridge needs game time, as does Firmino, who needs to build up match-fitness after his injury. There's no harm in resting Clyne and Coutinho.